21 Rescued After Container Ship Tilts Off Kochi Coast; Salvage Operation, Risk Assessment Underway
The MSC ELSA 3, a container vessel, developed a dangerous tilt off Kochi after leaving Vizhinjam Port, triggering a Coast Guard rescue. Nine crew abandoned ship, while 21 were rescued.
A Liberia-flagged container vessel, MSC ELSA 3, reported a dangerous tilt shortly after departing from Vizhinjam Port, approximately 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi, prompting an urgent rescue operation coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Indian Coast Guard, MRCC, Mumbai received a Distress Alert regarding Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developing 26° list, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. The vessel departed Vizhinjam Port on 23 May 2025, bound for Kochi.
@IndiaCoastGuard #MRCC, #Mumbai received a Distress Alert regarding Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developing 26° list approx 38 nautical miles southwest of #Kochi. Vessel departed #Vizhinjam Port on 23 May 25, bound for #Kochi with ETA 24 May 25. #ICG is actively… pic.twitter.com/U7SzOBsE9h
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 24, 2025
The Directorate General (DG) of Shipping, in coordination with the Coast Guard, has issued directives to the ship managers, instructing them to urgently provide salvage services for the vessel. The Indian Coast Guard affirmed that the developing situation is being “monitored closely… to prevent loss of life and damage to the environment”.
Containers Fall Off Due To Vessel Tilting, Risk Assessment Is In Progress: Indian Coast Guard
By 2000 hrs, 21 crew members had been safely rescued. However, three crew members—the ship’s Captain, Chief Engineer, and Second Engineer—remained onboard to facilitate planned salvage operations.
In an update, the Coast Guard noted that “some containers have fallen due to vessel tilting, and a risk assessment is in progress. All efforts are in hand to maintain the vessel’s stability”.
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 24, 2025
Rescue and monitoring efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to secure the vessel and avert any environmental hazards.
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